Welcoat keen on enlisting Adducul

Welcoat remains in hot pursuit of Rommel Adducul, dangling another trade offer to get the services of the 6-foot-5 slotman from Barangay Ginebra.

Co-owner Terry Que said they’re willing to deal Junjun Cabatu, Abby Santos plus a future draft pick to acquire Adducul.

"We’re just awaiting for the return of Ginebra, which is participating in the Brunei Cup. The moment they return, we’ll seek another talk with them," said Que.

Earlier, Welcoat offered its rights for the 10th and 11th picks in the recent draft in exchange for the former San Sebastian main man, but Ginebra declined.

Ginebra, instead, asked for Welcoat’s first round pick next year, a deal which was unacceptable for the Asian Coating Inc. franchise.

Meanwhile, Air21 center Yancy de Ocampo, No. 1 pick in the 2002 Rookie Draft, finally agreed to a P3.6-million deal in one year with his mother club as he failed to get offer from other teams.

Air21 also tried but failed to strike a trade deal with other ball clubs involving De Ocampo. Red Bull, for one, nixed Air21’s offer for a De Ocampo-Lordy Tugade swap.

De Ocampo, however, will not be short-changed at Air21 as he stands to get P300,000 a month in the coming PBA campaign.

In another development, JayAr Reyes became the third incoming PBA rookie guaranteed of a maximum package for the next three years.

One of three players elevated directly to the pro ranks by Welcoat, the 6-foot-4 Reyes signs his P8.5-million contract during the welcome lunch prepared by the Welcoat management for its team Saturday.

The former UP Maroon will receive P150,000 a month this coming season, P225,000 next campaign and P337,500 in 2008.

Top pick Kelly Williams and No. 2 draftee Arwin Santos have got the same packages with Sta. Lucia Realty and Air21, respectively.

After closing its deal with Williams, Sta. Lucia settled its negotiation with No. 6 pick Mark Isip, guaranteeing the former FEU mainstay P5.5 million in three years.

No. 7 pick Aaron Aban and No. 9 pick Boyet Bautista have yet to negotiate with their drafters as they’re still playing for their school team, Letran, in the NCAA.

Coca-Cola draftees Joseph Yeo, RJ Rizada, Manuel Caceres, Chris Pacana, Michael Gavino and Ronjay Enrile, on the other hand, have yet to receive offers since Coke team manager Hector Calma is currently out of the country.